PAGASA: Rainy season officially starts

Now it's official: The rainy season of 2010 has started in the Philippines. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Sunday said this was due to several factors that brought rain in past days. "The development of a series of low pressure systems, also known as heat lows, in the southern part of mainland Asia that linked with the low pressure area near Northern Luzon has generated and sustained the southwesterly winds in the country which brought rains for several days especially in the western section of the country," PAGASA said in a statement posted on its website. "This development signals the onset of the rainy season on the first week of June in areas under Type 1 climate, which covers the western parts of Luzon and Visayas," it added. the rainy season, which is associated with the southwest monsoon, is expected to last until end of September. However, PAGASA said monsoon breaks or periods of no rain for a few weeks are expected during the season. Residents in low-lying areas are advised to watch out for above-normal rainfall due to the La Niña phenomenon in the third quarter. "With the increasing probability of the occurence of La Niña beginning on the 3rd quarter of this year that can result to above normal rainfall, residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes are advised to take precausionary measures againts possible flash floods and landslides during periods of heavy rains," PAGASA said. Pagasa said the public can call its weather division for more information at telephone numbers 927-1541, 926-4258, 927-1335 and 928-2031. - KBK, GMANews.TV